Caroline Elton

Pretty much everyone knows that junior doctors have horrifically difficult lives. This book focuses on the psychological problems created by medical training and looks at various ways young doctors can cope. Elton starts by noting that the system is set up against those who may be the most vulnerable to stress and burnout- they are often the ones who end up assigned to training programs with the least support, the furthest from home. Academics alone don't necessarily explain who will succumb to stress and unhappiness. Some young doctors find themselves deep in training and deeply unhappy, but medicine is almost impossible to leave. It should be noted that this book focuses on the British healthcare system. While I suspect much of it- the tiredness, overwork, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness all apply, for those in the US there are some things I suspect would be different. Significantly, I think that student loan debt for US physicians is far greater, so that people who find themselves unhappy in the profession often don't have the financial ability to leave it. Also sounds like doing part-time training is an option in Britain. I don't think that is an option in the US, if for none other than the financial reasons. All of this said, Elton is certainly doing valuable work, in what is decidedly an underserved field. I did expect the book to be more engaging. Perhaps its a bit longer than it needs to be. It straddles an uneasy space between general reader and someone more proficient in the field. In general, I think it's worthwhile for the general public to be aware of these issues. As we discuss healthcare reform, certainly the needs of physicians need to be part of the dicussion.… (plus d'informations)

Dr. Elton is a vocational psychologist who works with doctors. This has put her in place to have firsthand experience with the mental problems they have. She also obviously does a lot of research on it; she cites studies and statistics fluently.

Doctors have pretty much the hardest training of any occupation. It’s not just the book learning that’s hard; it’s also the long hours, and the helpless feeling when tossed into the hospital and they are suddenly responsible for patients. Everyone knows a doctor or two with a big ego, but there are probably just as many who constantly fear they will not be good enough. As in any profession, they face racism and sexism. There is never time for family or even sleep. They sometimes have patients die. It’s not easy. The book is heavy on the subject of new doctors entering training; I assume this must be the time of the most stress since it’s emphasized. It’s mostly on the NHS system, although she does give some time to the American system.

The book was interesting, but not quite as interesting as I’d hoped. I think I was hoping for more case studies; the book was too heavy on the statistics for me (although I do realize a book like this *had* to have statistics). The chapters seemed to be arbitrarily divided and just sort of blended into each other. Three stars.… (plus d'informations)